Skylark and the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I'm playing along with the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge this week and I thought I would continue using my favorite Close To My Heart papers, Skylark.  You can see the sketch my cards are based on here.  Be sure to cruise around their blog a bit as there is a lot of fabulous artwork there. 

Part of the beauty of the Skylark papers are the exquisite drawings on one of the sheets. I wanted to use the beauty of the paper itself for the focal point of my cards.  Only one stamp was used between the two cards, the "Thinking of you" on the first card. 
  

I have a fascination and love of birds, so the "perfect day" sentiment torn from the zip strip sums up what I feel when watching 'my' birds at the feeders or in flight.  

Hope you enjoy my cards and the other entries at the AHSC blog.  

Supplies I used:
X7177B - Skylark Paper Pack
Z1929 - Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon
Z1853 - Aqua Dots
Z1850 - Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape
D1525 - Casual Expressions (Thinking of You stamp)
Click on the item number to order from my website.

Artbooking Made Easy: Fab Frames

Enjoy another video from Close To My Heart about the many features of the Close To My Heart Cricut Artbooking cartridge.   You can find more of these Artbooking videos by clicking my Artbooking Tutorial tab above.

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Don't own the CTMH Artbooking Collection yet?  You can get yours here.

Must-have Monday: The Close To My Heart Ruler

We all have something in our craft room that we can't live without.  It will come as no surprise that I have LOTS of things in my craft room that I can't live without and I'd like to share some of them with you.  

Although my papers and stamps and inks are my passion, the tools of my trade are what make it all come together in such delightful ways.   One of my favorite tools is my clear CTMH ruler.  Used in combination with my CTMH desk pad which sports a 12x13" grid, I'm able to get everything lined up to please even the best/worst perfectionist.  

Because this ruler is 14" long it easily will lay across a 12x12" sheet of card stock with an inch on either side if you need it to work with the grid in lining things up.  The clear plastic ruler is marked with 1/8 inch grid lines allows you to easily position anything within 1/8" of an edge or other object.  If you want to flow paper across a 2 page layout, your easy to see measurements will help you perfectly align the papers from one side to the next. 

To be honest, I am not a perfectionist. I "eyeball" quite a lot.  But being a teacher with a lot of perfectionist crafters as students, using my ruler makes class time so much easier for my students.  They've all purchased this ruler and when I tell them something is 3/4" from the side edge and 2" from the top, they simply look through the clear ruler to perfectly line up the 3/4" grid with the edge of the paper, find their way down 2" from the top, and they are ready to place their item.  So quick, so easy, so painless! 

Other features of the ruler are a metal edge on one side. Perfect to use when cutting with an exacto knife or to draw a straight line - and edge that stays intact. Along that side you will also note guide holes for marking off stitching or piercing.  So very versatile!

The stitch guide allows you to mark off 1/8" stitches or 1/4" stitches.  Just place the guide where you want the stitch marks, use your piercing tool and you've got perfect uniform stitches.  

See the marks made with my piercing tool?  They are perfectly spaced.

After stitching.  I love argyle and will make something with this sample and post later.  Stay tuned!

To be sure, if you are really into stitching, or even just piercing, we have another ruler, the stitch guide, that offers even more styles done to perfection.  Also marked with 1/8" grid lines and 15" in length.  

Both of these can be found on my website for sale.  Check them out!
 

Z1471 - Clear 14" Ruler with Stitch Guide - $9.95
Z1852 - 15" Clear Stitch Guide - $12.95

Artbooking Made Easy: Happy Springtime

Springtime is always blossoming, and with the springtime keys on the Artbooking cartridge, you can bring new life to all your layouts, cards, and crafts! The shapes, titles, and layouts are perfect for spring-themed projects, but they’re versatile enough to accent almost anything. You and your customers will be buzzing to make your projects bloom using these keys! 



If you don't have the Cricut Close To My Heart Artbooking cartridge, you can pick it up here.  It's your Lucky Day when you purchase Artbooking in March.  Include your email when you place your order and I will send you a current paper pack of your choice!

Save the Studio J Way!

During the month of March, order your Studio J™ layouts for only $5—that’s over $2 off the regular price! Create gorgeous, personalized studio layouts in minutes using our wide selection of papers, collections, patterns, and embellishments. And don’t forget to check out our new Photo Express Collection, which allows you to design layouts entirely using your own photos. You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories™.



Still not sure?  Think about this:  No extra printing costs for your photos.  They go directly from your computer to the layout.  No additional cost of exclusive Close To My Heart papers.  They are all right there in Studio J - just pick one and another one and another one- no scraps laying around, and we all know how hard it is to get rid of your scraps.  Embellishments, embellishments, embellishments!  All part of the program, use as many or as few as you want with no limitations or additional cost.  My favorite part?  It's RISK FREE!  Go try it and play with it.  If you decide not to purchase, just close out of the program.  There is no commitment required to give it a try!  *You will need to create an account so they can save your work for you to come back to later.

What are you waiting for?  Check it out here on my CTMH shopping site.

Some of my Studio J layouts:

Skylark Cruises on the Paper Trail

Ooops, not the Buick Skylark! Although it is nice!

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog hop.  You may be just getting started or you may have arrived from Connie's blog, Scraps & Stories. 

Either way, you are on the right trail.  We are a small circular hop and you will return to wherever you started.  Enjoy!

This month we are featuring the Close To My Heart Paper Pack, Skylark. I won't lie, it's my favorite pack in the new Idea Book.  These are my feel-good, happy colors!  Add birds and I am in heaven!

My two page layout for my March Scrap Class.  I've used the CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge in two ways.  The first cut was an overlay centered on the two pages with lovely pops of color in each honeycomb.  The second use was to cut a smaller overlay and use it as a stencil, sponging color onto the lower outer corners of the full layout.

 

Left Page

 

Right Page

 Detail Left Page

Detail Right Page

Next is a My Creations Pennant Frame my daughter created using Skylark.  It was the perfect choice for my family photo.

For information about classes on these two projects, check my "Workshops Classes & Crops" tab above.

One of my new favorite Close To My Heart products is our Picture My Life programs for pocket scrapping.  The next photos are of the Skylark set, a perfect companion to my traditional pages!  

Now I must get back to my craft room as I hear the Skylark calling me back with his song.  You should hop on over to Karen's Inky Fingers blog for more Skylark inspiration. 

Skylark Paper Pack

Products I used:
(click on the item number to go to my website to order)

X7177B - Skylark Paper Pack
X7177C - Skylark Complements
G1072 - Skylark Workshop On The Go (exclusive stamp set)
Z1853 - Aqua Dots
C1537 - Honeycomb MyAcrylix stamp set
Z2160 - Twilight Exclusive Inks
Z697 - Round Sponge
Z1906 - CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge

Z1941 - My Creations Pennant Frame
Z2118 - Dessert Sand Exclusive Inks
Z1837 - Mini-medley Accents Wooden Collection

Picture My Life Scrapbooking Programs

Stroll Down Ivy Lane

Come stroll down the Ivy Lane with me on the Paper Trail Blog Hop.  You may have already strolled through Mary's blog, The Road to Peace of Mind or Escape, which means you are on the right trail.  If you are just getting started, then welcome. Our blog hop is circular and once you visit us all you'll find yourself right back here or where ever you started.

A new month, a new Idea Book and an entire new line up of papers is in store for you!  If you haven't seen our new Catalog/Idea Book you can see it online here.  If you'd like one of your own you can also order it right there for just $3.95 (WC1141).  Our Spring/Summer lineup is beautiful!  Be sure to check it out!

We are beginning with Ivy Lane because it's rich colors including Holly Hock, Blush, and Ivy Lane Purple remind me of love and Valentine's Day so that's how I am kicking of February.

I started with the Ivy Lane Workshop On The Go. This is the layout we will use for my Littlest Angels scrap club.  I don't like to give them what they can get by themselves straight from the book, so I amped it up a little bit with some additional Artbooking.  I changed up the stripes on the left hand page, removing the chevron paper and then using it for a romantic overlay.  I kept the Cricut cut flowers in the layout but also added some heart shapes to the right hand side to balance out the left.  We don't meet until next week, but I hope they like it!

Next I have some cards to share.  The first is one I made for my IOD (Ink or Dye) club swap.  I adore how versatile the colors in these papers are.
 

At IOD, Ramona taught us how to make a stair-step card.  I finished mine using more of the Ivy Lane papers.  I really like how the gold glitter tape gives it some sparkle & pop.

Lastly, these two cards are for a card swap I am hosting.  They are alike but not.  Do you see what the difference is?

I have one more project that is not yet complete.  It's not working out as I had hoped so it's yet to be seen if I will be posting photos of it or not.

Yes, I've been called a tease before. 

Now take a gander over to Amy's blog, Pineapple Paper Artist.  I'm sure she has created something wonderful to share!

For more ideas and tips using the Cricut Artbooking Collection, please click on the "Artbooking Tutorials" tab at the top of my page. 

Products used:
G1073 - Ivy Lane Workshop On The Go**
C1574 - Believe in Yourself My Acrylix Stamp Set
D1510 - 4 My Friend (retired 1/31/2014)
D1542 - For a Friend
Z2128 - Holly Hock Exclusive Inks stamp pad
Z2147 - Smokey Plum Exclusive Inks stamp pad
Z1812 - Sparkles Clear Flourishes Small
Pearl Opaques (retired 1/31/2014)
Z1906 - Cricut Artbooking Collection

**Ivy Lane Workshop On The Go includes:
X7178B - Ivy Lane Paper Pack
Z3001 - Ivy Lane Assortment
Z1936 - Purple Glitter Gems
Ivy Lane WOTG Acrylix Stamp Set (not sold separately)